Chapter 87
Olivia's POV
The warm, earthy aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wrapped around me like a comforting blanket as I entered Witches’ Brew Cafe. The familiar bell above the door jingled, and a few Pack members seated at scattered tables nodded in greeting.
I spotted Mia at a corner table, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea. Her smile, as always, was infectious, and it warmed something in me that had been weighed down by Chloe’s biting words and the looming Council vote.
“Hey,” I said as I slid into the seat across from her, shrugging off my coat. “Thanks for meeting me.”
“Of course.” Mia’s smile softened, and her hazel eyes searched mine. “I thought you might need a little escape.”
I laughed lightly, though it felt more like a sigh. “You’re not wrong.”
The barista brought over my usual and I wrapped my hands around the cup, letting the heat seep into my palms. “It’s been... a lot,” I admitted, my gaze dropping to the table. “The taunts, the doubts…sometimes it feels like every step forward is met with another damn hoop.”
Mia reached across the table, her fingers brushing mine in a gesture of quiet solidarity. “Liv, you’re carrying a lot of shit and you’re doing it with integrity. But it’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes.”
Her words chipped away at the tight knot in my chest, and I let my best friend’s calm presence wash over me. “Chloe’s been in my head,” I confessed. “Her constant digs, questioning my strength, my leadership... it’s a constant battle reminding myself she’s wrong.”
Mia’s expression hardened for a moment, a flash of steel in her gentle demeanor. “She’s wrong,” she said firmly. “That bitch is trying to tear you down because she sees what you bring to the table: empathy – generally, not… y’know… but connection and strength too. She can’t manipulate you the way she does others, so she’s freaking the fuck out.”
I blinked, surprised by her conviction. “But —”
“No,” Mia interrupted, shaking her head. “You don’t get to doubt yourself, Liv. Do you know what I see when I look at you? Someone who leads with her heart and her head. Someone who’s fighting for her Pack, even when she’s scared. That’s what makes you different from Chloe, and a hell of a lot stronger.”
I swallowed hard, her words sinking in.
Mia leaned back, her gaze softening again. “You know, when my family joined this Pack, I didn’t think I’d ever feel like I belonged. But you welcomed me, and that made all the difference.”
I smiled at the memory of us as kids and all the trouble we got into when our parents weren’t watching.
“Trust yourself,” she continued. “Trust that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be, doing exactly what you’re meant to do. I do.”
The knot in my chest loosened further, and I felt the faintest spark of. “Thanks, Mia,” I said softly. “I needed that.”
“Anytime,” she said, grinning. “Now, drink up before it gets cold. You’ve got a Pack to lead, and I’ve got a pastry calling my name.”
As we laughed and settled into lighter conversation, I realized that moments like these were exactly what I was fighting for.
The sharp knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. His scent reached me before I even looked up.
Derek.
I straightened in my chair, my pulse quickening as I called out, “Come in.”
The door opened, and Derek stepped in, his usual air of authority preceding him like a second skin. He was dressed sharply, as always, but there was an edge in his eyes that wasn’t entirely masked by his composed exterior.
“Luna Olivia,” he greeted, his tone formal but carrying a hint of something softer. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all,” I replied, gesturing to the chair opposite mine. “What brings you here?”
He sat down, his movements deliberate; he studied me for a moment before speaking. “The upcoming vote will decide much more than leadership,” he began. “You already know Chloe’s… ideas… run deep, but there’s something else I think you should consider.”
My brows knitted together. “What’s that?”
Derek leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. “Chloe’s influence over certain undecided Alphas might not be based solely on political maneuvering or alliances. I suspect blackmail.”
The word hit like a stone sinking into still water, rippling through my thoughts. “Blackmail?”
He nodded, his expression grim. “She’s always been skilled at finding leverage, digging into past indiscretions, weaknesses – anything that can be turned into a weapon. Some Alphas who haven’t pledged their support may be under her thumb.”
The implications churned in my mind. “Do you have proof?”
“Not yet,” Derek admitted, his tone clipped with frustration. “But I’ve seen the signs: hesitation where there should be decisiveness, unease masked behind politeness. My wife’s time is up; it’s time to turn her own tactics against her.”
I tilted my head, studying him carefully. “And you’re telling me this because...?”
“Because you have a gift, Olivia,” he said bluntly, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “You can read emotions, sense when someone’s hiding something. It’s time to stop keeping that gift in the shadows and use it for what it’s meant for.”
I swallowed hard, his words stirring an uncomfortable mix of pride and apprehension. My empathy was something I had long viewed as a vulnerability, a secret weapon that could just as easily expose me as it could help others.
“You want me to use it at the Council meeting.” I stated, my voice cautious.
“Yes,” Derek said without hesitation. “Subtly, of course. Read the Alphas. Look for tension, fear, guilt – anything that might indicate Chloe’s manipulation. If you can identify who she’s holding under her thumb, we can exploit that to take her down.”
The weight of his suggestion settled heavily on my shoulders. “And what happens if they realize what I’m doing?”
Derek’s expression softened, though only slightly. “Then you trust in your Mate to shield you, and in your own instincts to guide you. Would you rather cower in a corner when you could have done something to help your Pack?”
His words struck a chord, but it was a big ask. “You really believe this will work?”
Derek’s smirk returned, though it lacked its usual sharpness. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. You’ve already proven you’re more than capable of standing strong against Alphas. This is just another tool in your arsenal.”
I exhaled slowly, letting his words sink in. “Alright,” I said finally, meeting his gaze with renewed determination. “But on my terms.”
Derek leaned back in his chair, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. “Good. You’ll need every edge you can get. Chloe and Aiden won’t go down without a fight, and the Alphas will be watching your every move. Show them why you’re Luna.”
I nodded, already forming a plan in my mind. “Thanks.”
He stood, adjusting his suit jacket. “Don’t thank me yet. Save it for after the vote.”
As he turned to leave, he paused at the door. “And Olivia?”
“Yes?”
“Leadership is about resilience, not just power.” His eyes flicked to the bite mark peeking out from my shirt. “You have my vote.”
With that, he was gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
It was time to stop hiding and fully embrace the Luna my mother knew I could be.
